Postgraduate Research: Fiona Explores Digital Business Model Innovation
Fiona is a first year PhD student, focused on interdisciplinary research fusing the arts sector with strategic management.
Why did you decide to study a PhD at the School?
I first studied a BSc in French and History of Art at Queen’s University Belfast, and then I went on to complete an MSc in Arts Management. My Master’s degree fused learning about cultural policy with management and marketing modules.
I found the experience of developing business plans, undertaking strategic planning and writing funding applications a very practical and interesting process. It merged seamlessly with some of the courses I was taking as part of the Future-Ready Award (CMI Level 7, Innovateher, Kickstart Accelerator), and so it seemed natural to make the move into management.
My primary supervisor is Professor Mark Palmer in the School. He is an institutional theorist and guides me through the theory of my thesis from institutional lens. My second supervisor, Professor Olwen Purdue, is a specialist in museum studies. I am based in the School of History, Anthropology, Politics and Philosophy. As such, my PhD is interdisciplinary in nature.
What are your research goals?
My goals are focused on Digital Business Model Innovation and the institutional preservation of the Arts and Heritage Sector.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of many arts and heritage institutions and presented sustained uncertainty for the sector. Management teams within such institutions were faced with the unprecedented challenge of transitioning from traditional in-person arts activities to digital versions.
My research aims to understand how cultural institutions accommodate and navigate hybrid tensions - between their traditional identity as institutions occupying a physical place, and a new virtual digital space during the Covid-19 crisis.
My research explores the do-ability of digital projects, the emotional work, and business model innovation. The project adopts an institutional analysis on how cultural institutions carry out institutional work digitalizing arts activities. Using comparative case study design, I am examining a theoretical sample of arts and heritage institutions across Northern Ireland.
This sample will be studied against a body of literature from the fields of institutional theory, organizational behaviour, business innovation, arts management and history.
How do you see your research being applicable to the world of business?
This research has the potential to make several contributions towards the fields of arts, strategic management, organisational change, and business model thinking - and is therefore inter-disciplinary in nature.
It is anticipated that the findings of this research will provide insight into important change in the arts and heritage sector. I am planning for the research to be disseminated across the sector.
Fiona is also a NINE ESRC funded student.
I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded funding for my PhD from NINE ESRC. Prior to undertaking my PhD, an article based on my MA dissertation was published in the Irish Journal of Arts Management and Cultural Policy.
I enjoy exchanging ideas about research with my fellow PhD students. My supervisor meetings are key. When you undertake a PhD, it is the first time you no longer have lectures. It is vital to have that ongoing support from your supervisor.
Find out more:
